Shameless light, 2016-ongoing

Shameless Light

Shameless Light is an ongoing performance that invites LGBTQAI and non-binary people to read love letters they have written under red neon lights. Shameless Light begun in 2016, in Carrizzozo, New Mexico after the US election. At that moment in United States politics, we were reeling - trying to find a way to fight back against intolerance and fear. We decided to use the force of love – specifically queer love letters.

The letters have been read out loud into public space - in London, Chicago, New York, New Mexico, Texas, Ohio. It was important for the letters to be in public spaces, in front of an audience – asserting queer desire and existence out loud and in shared space. In each location for Shameless Light we made contact with local LGBTQ+ people to find letter writers and readers. The project allowed for a temporary queer community speaking love and desire. The project has evolved over the years, to include projections of recorded love letters.

Shameless Light places articulations of queer love and desire into public space to be contended with as declaration of existence and disruption of the heteronormative ideals. Shameless Light privileges queer love as a generative, unruly and potentially radical act.

If you are interested in reading or submitting a letter please contact sheilah.restack@gmail.com or danirestack@gmail.com

Shameless Light, AIFF, Athens, Ohio, 2016

Shameless Light Projection, Fort Worth, Texas, 2021